Paving-block



4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(.No Model.)

J. L. POPE. PAVING BLOGK.

No. 519,873. Patented May 15,1894.

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IT'NEE EIEEI 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. L. POPE. PAVING BLOCK.

Patented May 15,1894.

5 'V'ENTUR:

I'I'NEEEEE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

J. L. POPE. PAVING BLOCK.

Patented, May 15,1894.

IN VENTEIF\:

. lUiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. POPE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

PAVING-BLOCK.

EiPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,873, dated May 15, 1894.

Application filed September 8,1892. SerialNo. 445,304- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN L. POPE, of Cleveland, 1n the county of Cuyahoga and State of OhlO, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Paving-Blocks, of which the following 1s a full, clear, and exact description.

The ob ects of my invention are, first, to provide paving blocks which are adapted to support great weight on soft soil and will keep even; second, to cheapen the cost of pavements, by providing a construction enabling the pavement to be made of light weight without loss of strength; third, to afford means by which, when the pavement is laid, weight apphedtheretoat any place willbedistributed over a large number of blocks; and, fourth, to enable a durable and practically noiseless pavement to be made with comparatively little expense. The first and second of these objects I attain by providing the base of the paving block with ribs forming closed-top cells. This construction assists in supporting the blocks, keeps them even, and renders it possible to form a substantial pavement without substructure. The ribs also serve to strengthen the block and the diminution of material caused by the cellular construction renders the block light and cheap.

The third object of my invention is attained by forming at the sides of the paving blocks substantially coextensive ledges or projections, substantially as herein described, adapted to fitupon each other, some of the ledges on each block being directed upwardly,

and some being directed downwardly. When the pavement is laid, each block is thus supported by and aids in supporting those adjacent to it, and pressure applied to any block 18 distributed over a large area.

The fourth enumerated object of the invention is attained by forming the blocks with beveled surface pockets or recesses, adapted to receive a filling material softer than the material of the block and of such nature as to hold tightly in the recess and constitute the Wearing surface of the pavement.

The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 3 are plan views of the top and bottom respectively of one of my improved paving blocks. Figs. 2 and at are, re-

spectively, a side view and vertical cross-section thereof, the section plane of Fig. 4 being on the line i-t of Fig. 3. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, are plan and side views of modified constructions of the block.

Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each view.

The paving block shown in Figs. 1 to 4 may be made of brick, cement or other suitable material. Its bottom is formed with crossribs or partitions C, D, forming a series of closed-top cells and extending substantially to the level of the bottom of the block. The ribbing and cellular structure render the block light, but very strong, enable the blocks to support great weight without sinking, keep the blocks even, and render it unnecessary to constructaspecialsub-pavement. The blocks are also formed with laterallyprojecting ledges A, B, of which two face upwardly, and two face downwardly. When the pavement is laid, the ledges of the adjoining blocks fit together, and each block thus supports two blocks and is supported by two others.

The cellular bottom structure of the blocks and the lateral supporting ledges are shown in all the figures of the drawings.

The construction of the blocks by which I secure a noiseless pavement is shown in Figs. 5 to 8 only.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the top of the block is formed with pockets E, adapted to be filled with some material of softer nature than the material of the block itself, such, for example, as a composition of gravel, tar and wood fiber, or other soft materialiwhich will pack in the pockets may be employed. The.

pockets are made of dovetail form, so as to retain such filling more securely, and are so closed at bottom as to uphold the filling ma terial. Such filling material rests upon the bases of the pockets and projects above the surface of the block. It thus constitutes the wearing surface of the blocks, the pavement is rendered strong and durable by the blocks themselves, while the soft filling deadens the sound of vehicles, so objectionable in streets on which there is much traffic.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I show the pockets E constituted by parallel partitions f, preferably shaped so as to afford intervening dovetail spaces and adapted to be filled by wooden strips inserted thereinto lengthwise and projecting above the surface of the block. These blocks .are preferably made of cast iron which may be covered with a protective paint to prevent oxidation.

Modifications may be made in the form and construction of the blocks within the scope of my invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim 1. Apaving-block provided at its under side with separating walls or ribs which extend substantially to the level of the bottom face of the block, forming separate closed-top cells, said block being adapted to be laid upon the ground and to be supported by aid of said cells; substantially as described.

2. A paving block having on its surface pockets closed at the bottom and beveled so as to decrease in width upwardly; substan- 2o tially as described.

3. A paving-block, having onits surface a pocket closed at the bottom,which pocket decreases in widthupwardly, and having a wearing material such as wood, softer than the body of the block, fitted in the pocket and projecting above the same; substantially as described.

4. A paving-block provided at its under side with separating walls or ribs which extend substantially to the level of the bottom face of the block, forming separate closed-top cells, said block being adapted to be laid upon the ground and to be supported by aid of said cells, and having lateral ledges, two opposite ledges being directed upwardly and the others directed downwardly, and being substantially coextensive with the sides of the block; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of September, A. D. 1892.

, JOHN L. POPE. Witnesses:

W. B. WHITING, C. W. POPE. 

